The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ), celebrating its 60th anniversary, held a variety of events in 17 provinces and cities across the nation on the occasion of the 34th SME Week, which took place from May 16 to May 20.
KBIZ hosted about 80 events and explanation sessions designed to normalize SMEs and small businesses, and spur the economic recovery under the theme “60-Year Step, 100-Year Hope.” By law, SME Week is designated in the third week of every May.
SMEs have emerged as the lynchpin of the national economy. The number of SMEs surged from 24,112 in 1966 to 7 million currently.
SMEs account for 99.9 percent of the nation’s total number of companies, while SME employees take an 82.7 percent share in the nation’s total employees.
The reality is that SMEs have experienced hard times caused by the growing bipolarization of large- and small-sized companies.
Thirty-one SME organizations and support institutions jointly hosted and organized events during SME Week. They were supported by 33 government and local government bodies.
There were multiple events designed to spur harmony and social contribution among regional SMEs. In particular, KBIZ’s Gyeonggi regional headquarters hosted “Gyeonggi SME Cooperatives’ Flogging Challenge,” an environment protection campaign designed to pick up garbage while jogging on May 20.
A policy debate session on interlocking SMEs’ contracts and unit prices, the greatest pending issue among SME organizations, took place at the KBIZ building in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17.
“Beautiful SME Sharing Concert” was held at Seoul Arts Center on May 19.
“SME Recognition Improvement IDEA Exhibition” took place at the KBIZ Building in Yeouido from May 16 to May 27. A photo exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of KBIZ, which opened on May 10, is under way until May 31.
Minister-MOEF Minister Chu Kyung-ho and Chairman Kim Ki-moon of the Korea Federation of SMEs pose after they had a meeting with SME businessmen at the KBIZ building in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 18. (Photos: KBIZ)
The “Small Concert for SMEs and Businessmen” took place at Chuncheon on May 24. The Seoul Cooperatives’ Executives and Staffers Mountaineering Club’s hike at Mt. Bukhan was held on May 27.
The Main Business Membership Forum took place at Grand Plaza Cheongju Hotel from May 26 to May 27.
SME organizations hosted events and sessions, including a session designed to ramp up SMEs’ innovative capabilities, which took place at Daejeon Yuseong Hotel on May 17.
A policy forum on SMEs’ indirect exportation was held at the National Assembly on May 20.
KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-moon said, “The national economy is picking up steam after coming out from the long tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SME Week indicates SME businessmen’s determination to return economic and daily life to normal.”
He expressed hope that SME Week would serve as an opportunity to boost SME business people’s courage and standing.
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